What's unique about the brand
What reviewers are saying
We read all the reviews. Here's what reviewers feel most strongly about:
- Audio Note prioritizes musicality above technical specifications, focusing on creating components that sound like real music—regardless of measurements.
- Audio Note designs components with long lifespans, avoiding frequent model iterations and focusing on component quality and core design principles, resulting in products that remain relevant for decades.
- They often use tube rectification and valve amplification and are Single Ended Output Stage, directly Heated Triode operation.
- Their CD players often use a Philips CD Pro 2LF CD mechanism that has been custom modified and improved in-house, focusing on performance rather than technical specs, and often avoid oversampling and digital filtering.
Our favorite reviewer quotes:
- "The CD3.1X/II will reproduce well-recorded program material with unsurpassed smoothness, depth resolution, a distinct and clear presentation of concert hall ambiance, but most of all– a sublime widening of the soundstage and an "airiness" encompassing its breathtaking instrumental tonality. Admittedly,I have not this heard in many other CD players before." (https://www.thesoundadvocate.com/2020/07/review-audio-note-cd-3-1x-ii-cd-player)
- "The 4.1x excels at translating sonic tangibles like timbral and tonal delicacy, pitch accuracy and lifelike scale fitting hand-in-glove with dynamic impact and an enormous, rock solid sound stage. In this output the company also commits to less quantifiable sonic properties like emotional heft and living presence resulting in startling amounts of realism from Red Book playback." (https://www.resistormag.com/reviews/review-audio-note-cd4-1x-integrated-transport-and-dac)
- "In this reviewer's experience, it is this ability to immediately engage the listener emotionally, with corporeal intonation, that sets the best source components apart, and this the CD4.1x did with seeming nonchalance. A guitar laid bare, one's eyes closed, the 4.1x navigates the textural terrain of songs leading to, in some moments, a suspension of disbelief that Metheny is not in the room." (https://www.resistormag.com/reviews/review-audio-note-cd4-1x-integrated-transport-and-dac)
- "With the M3 and Quests I realised with a jolt that I was hearing a whole level of complexity and tonal accuracy. The drummer doesn't use a heavier strike on the cymbal. What actually happens is that for the first half of the track he is playing a large ride cymbal with a metal (not plastic) brush - I'd even hazard a guess that it's a flattened one with quite short wires." (https://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/m3+quests_e.html)
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Products
Lineup comparison
We think it's helpful to understand how their products compare. To learn more about each, scroll to the section above to click through to individual product pages.
DAC 0.1x
- Positioning: Entry-level model in the Audio Note DAC lineup.
- Description: Features a 1x oversampling technology that avoids digital filtering, which is unique compared to higher models that may include more complex circuitry. Uses a Philips TDA1543 chip and a 6111WA valve output stage, making it ideal for small rooms or budget-conscious users who still want quality tube sound.
DAC 1.1x
- Positioning: Positioned as a step above the entry-level, offering enhanced performance.
- Description: Improves upon the 0.1x with an 18-bit AD1865 chip, providing a richer sound experience. Maintains the no-oversampling approach.
DAC 4.1x
- Positioning: High-end model designed for serious audiophiles.
- Description: Features advanced components like custom transformers and a sophisticated output stage, providing superior sound clarity and detail.
DAC 5
- Positioning: Flagship model representing the pinnacle of Audio Note's DAC technology.
- Description: Features the most advanced digital circuit and highest quality materials, including silver-wound transformers.
Used
Audio Note
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About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
